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Property Information:

In the heart of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, historic Chamounix Mansion has welcomed overnight guests and groups for fifty years. Originally built in 1802 as a country home, the mansion rests on a scenic bluff above the Schuylkill River and is convenient to Philadelphia's cultural and historic attractions, sporting events, and restaurants.

Our guests experience the wonder of Philadelphia while at this much-loved mansion that offers clean, comfortable and timeless accommodations. In May of this year, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary, originally as a member of AYH (American Youth Hostels), then Hostelling USA and Hostelling International. This charming and unpretentious mansion rests on a scenic bluff above the Schuylkill River, making it convenient to Philadelphia's cultural and historic attractions, sporting events, and restaurants. We feel privileged to have, certainly, entertained angels, unaware, as we never falter, in half a century, from our mission: to provide low-cost, dormitory-style accommodations to the intrepid spirits, of all ages, from all over the world. In this micro-community, the ever-changing population of guests provides a unique and varied experience with those who share the love of travel.

Located in the heart the largest urban park in the world, in the center of Philadelphia, just as William Penn conceived of and envisioned it, Fairmount Park is home to Philadelphia’s greatest treasures. The Philadelphia Museum of Art (yes, you can run the steps and take your photo with Rocky), The Fairmount Waterworks, Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, The Please Touch Museum ( which makes its home in the 1876 National Centennial celebration’s Memorial Hall), many of the public sculptures, and the new Paine’s Skateboard Park are just a few of Chamounix’s neighbors in the park.

Our vintage bikes are free to use. Only a fifteen minute walk to the bus stop via the sidewalk, or less than ten on the trail, the #38 bus pops you into Center City in about 30-40 minutes (after winding through a few neighborhoods to pick up people who use Septa to commute). We sell Septa tokens for $1.80, saving you 45 cents on the bus fare.

At the end of the day, you can share your experience with your friends and family back home on Skype with our free Wi-Fi, or with our free guest computer. Share a meal, share a day, share an adventure, and share a smile at the five star hostel in the park.

Nestled in a wooded setting, the hostel offers a welcoming front porch with comfy Adirondack chairs and park benches, where you might become best friends with one of the abandoned cats we’ve ‘adopted’: in order of appearance, so to speak, we have Bacon, Canadian Bacon, Tommy, Aurora, and Tatertot. There have been others along the way, many have been adopted by a guest. They are outside cats, so allergy-sufferers and those who do not like cats: it’s all good.

- Individual Travelers: meet like-minded friends from all over the world! Our front porch is the place to make new friends. We even have a wedding story from two people (one American, one French) who met at Chamounix and eventually married!

-Families: (the only hostel in Philly with a crib and family-friendly atmosphere; kids under the age of 16 are WELCOME with parent or guardian, and have a super low rate of $8! Children under the age of 3 are free. WE NEVER PUT YOUR KIDS WITH OTHER GUESTS!

-Groups: For group gatherings, we also offer meeting rooms with kitchen/dining areas for workshops, retreats, and events. Think of Chamounix when planning alternative Spring Break, corporate retreats, The Dad Vail Regatta, anniversary parties, alumni gatherings, and weddings. Groups (9 or more guests) MUST contact the hostel directly for group bookings, as separate terms and conditions apply. Reservations submitted for more than nine people will not be confirmed.

The maximum stay at Chamounix Mansion is 7 nights. Any reservation for more than seven nights will not be accepted, nor will it be confirmed, if you make separate consecutive 7 night reservations. Longer stays are possible on a case-by-case basis and can be discussed with our General Manager once you are on the premises.

Chamounix Mansion is committed to being as environmentally-friendly as possible. Our goals are to conserve energy and protect the environment with sound choice of the products we use and recycling. We encourage guests not to waste food or soap and shampoo by offering a space to leave these items. Our General Manager and one of the Assistant Managers are the role models, here, as their stewardship of the earth and its resources is part of their moral code.

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NOTE:

This property does not accept group bookings for more than 0 people.

NOTE:

This property does not accept group bookings.

NOTE:

This property does not accept bookings for more than 8 people.

Latest Review

More a resort than a hostel, with beautiful surroundings, fantastic staff, and interesting fellow guests. My one complaint was the thin mattress and overabundant airconditioning that wasted energy and forced me to sleep fully clothed.

Hostel Awards

Policies

Child Friendly

Credit Cards Accepted

Curfew

Lockout

Non Smoking

Taxes Included

Cancellation Policy

This property has a 1 day cancellation policy.
Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay, unless otherwise stated below (see 'Things to Note' information).

Things to Note

Chamounix Mansion is in one of the most remote and beautiful areas of Fairmount Park. Therefore it is a bit off the beaten path but only a 15 minute walk through the tree-lined Chamounix Drive from the 38 Bus.
Hostelling International is a non-profit membership based organization whose mission is to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling. We have been promoting peace through hostelling since 1909. Non-members will be asked to pay a $3 daily membership fee per night upon check-in. Memberships are available at the hostel or online
We do not accept group bookings online(any reservation of 9+ people), for group bookings a guest must contact us directly as separate terms and conditions apply.
We have a daily lock-out period, from 11-4:30. All hostellers must leave the facility during that time.
We have a curfew: 2am
We are family friendly: all ages of hostellers get to know one and other here.
The maximum stay at Chamounix Mansion is 7 nights. Any reservation for more than seven nights will not be accepted, nor will it be confirmed, if you make separate consecutive 7 night reservations. Longer stays are possible on a case-by-case basis and can be discussed with our General Manager once you are on the premises.
Chamounix is great for hostellers who enjoy the city life, but are ready for the privilege of sleeping in a Colonial-era mansion surrounded by 200 year old trees, walking trails, bike paths, and our huge porch with cozy Adirondack chairs and friendly outdoor cats. Borrow a bike and ride up to Belmont Plateau where the best view of the Philly skyline can be seen.